Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Updated on October 18 at 1:20 PM PDT. Update set in bold face italicsWe just received the 1,400th comment to this post. Needless to say, this is a record for Talking Radio. It might even be a record for political blogs, although we can't confirm that. We can confirm that on October 16 this blog was visited over 200,000 times. This says a lot about the power of the internet.

Randi Rhodes was mugged on Sunday night on 39th Street and Park Ave, nearby her Manhattan apartment, while she was walking her dog Simon.

According to Air America Radio late night host Jon Elliott, Rhodes was beaten up pretty badly, losing several teeth and will probably be off the air for at least the rest of the week. At of late Monday night we have not able to locate any press accounts of the attack and nothing has been posted on the AAR website.Several liberal blogs, including the Randi Rhodes Message Board and Democratic Underground have logged numerous posts on the Rhodes mugging with most of the posters expressing concern about the condition of the popular lib talker.

AAR's official blogger, Nancy Scola, posted the following message on the lib network's website this morning:

Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday.

Morning talk host, Lionel filled in for Rhodes on Monday, but did not say anything about why she wasn’t on hand to do her show. The Randi Rhodes board reports that Sam Seder, who does a Sunday afternoon show for AAR, will be filling on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Elliott was extremely agitated when he reported on the incident. He opened his show by saying "it is with sadness that tonight I inform you that my Air America colleague Randi Rhodes was assaulted last night while walking her dog near her New York City home."

Pointing out that Rhodes was wearing a jogging suit and displayed no purse or jewelry, Elliott speculated that "this does not appear to me to be a standard grab the money and run mugging."

"Is this an attempt by the right wing hate machine to silence one of our own," he asked. "Are we threatening them. Are they afraid that we're winning. Are they trying to silence intimidate us."

Some of blog posters also expressed concerns that the attack on Rhodes was hate crime. Other posters warned that we need more facts before any judgements are made.

According to Elliott, Rhodes was resting in her New York City apartment and was not hospitalized.

Attacks on liberal talk radio stations and their hosts are not a new thing. About a month ago a gunman fired a shot through a window at the studios of KPFT, Houston’s, Pacifica station narrowly missing a DJ who was hosting music show at the time. There is currently a $10,000 reward offered to anyone who identifies the shooter.

This is not the first politically motivated attack on KPFT. More than 35 years ago, the Ku Klux Klan blew up the station's transmitters twice within the Houston station's first year on the air.

Also, shortly after AAR morning talk show host Thom Hartmann, started doing talk radio (about four years ago), he was told by auto mechanic that there were several bullet holes in his car.

"To this day I don't know if somebody shot out my car as kids joyriding with a pistol or rifle... or was a warning or statement of displeasure about my radio show," Hartmann told TR. "I've gotten a lot of death threats and hate mail over the years - hate mail is pretty much a norm in this business - but nobody has taken a shot at me or my car since 2003."

Talk show host, Tom Leykis, who known to express liberal views on his daily "hot talk show" was assaulted outside a Seattle bar three years ago by agitated radio listeners.

According to the Seattle Times, a witness reported two men were involved in the incident:"…One of the men said to Leykis, "I called your show once and you called me" a name. "You had no right to do that." Then a man standing to Leykis’ left kicked him in the face. The blow knocked him to his knees, leaving his right knee scraped and bruised."

Last year Stephanie Miller received a death threat from a nut case in Ohio named "Sock" Sokolowski. Here's what the letter said in part.

"As with Cindy Sheehan the best thing that could happen to you would be seeing some WONDERFUL activist sticking an AK-47 up your Glory Holes and sending you into eternity" ---Miller called Socko during her show (yes, he actually included his phone number in the letter) and Socko claimed several times during the phone call that he didn't threaten Miller in the letter.

(Socko is not to be confused with Spocko, who is a liberal blogger who was threatened by ABC Radio's lawyers after he posted a list of advertisers to Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan's conservative talk show on KSFO-AM in San Francisco.)

Apparently, some right-wing critics of lib talk aren’t happy that conservative talk only accounts for 90% of the programming on talk radio. These whack jobs appear determined to whatever it takes to silence the opposing point of view.

Not surprisingly, the only talk radio host killed for his political views was a liberal. In 1984, two right wing extremists gunned down Denver talk show host Alan Berg. Berg’s tragic murder was memorialized in a chilling movie Talk Radio

I cannot believe that someone gets mugged in NYC and people immediately blame it on some Right Wing Conspiracy. Are you kidding. People get mugged every day. What do you think that you are immune because you are liberal?

Forget for a second that you have already decided it was a "right-wing nutjob" and there is 0 evidence to suggest it, but there is one other thing I find interesting besides the amazing rush to judgment.

I do love the part that it is considered a hate crime. In that case, every bar fight is a hate crime. Think about it.. 2 people disagree and fight because of their disagreement- aaaaaaaaaand hate crime. Great work.

Sure - this must be a right wing conspiracy. No other explanation possible. You know, like maybe criminals walking around because liberals like Ms. Rhodes have spent their careers blaming these thugs' criminality on "society," and not holding them accountable for their actions. Karma is a strange thing, people.

Until an arrest is made how can you jump to a conclusion that it's from the right. This is typical left garbage - blame, blame, blame - accuse, accuse, accuse - then maybe find out the facts. Lets find out the facts first - befor we lay blame.

I am saddened by this news. I hope Randy recovers and the police find the attacker. Then I hope the attacker can explain what circumstances in his background led to his rage. This knowlege may help us all avoid attacks on the street in the future.

Yeah, it must have been a right wing whacko, because nobody gets mugged in NYC, right? Wow, you moonbats are really off the deep end. I really don't think it was one of the couple dozen listeners of Air America, but it could be someone that Rhodes owes money to, like her meth dealer.

Please!!!! Conservatives are not responsible for this, New York is!! Come on a liberal state that is so soft on criminals; this is bound to happen. Sorry for Ms. Rhodes, but she was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I am sorry she is hurt, but to blame conservatives? Elliot, take a paranoid pill, please!! We'll shut down that stupid network simply by not listening to your thoughless trash, not by attacking your liberal host. Remember paranoia will destroy ya!

Put on the AlFo beanies... The conspiracy theories are coming!My bet is that the plastic surgeon cabal is trying to silence her free speech about the suffering she's often expressed for having large breasts...

We know you'll never be politically healthy, Randi, but I pray you'll heal soon. No one should have to endure such evil.Righty McNuttjob

Nice conclusion-jumping, there. I've lived in Manhattan for over ten years, and muggings are a daily occurrence. Park Avenue, where the affluent tend to live, is a particularly fertile ground for street crime. Look it up.

Regarding talk radio. Liberals tried, and liberals failed. The market dictates success and failure in the media and advertisers support successful shows. Contrary to what you libs think, you're not being 'blackballed' by the big radio companies. Your message is being rejected by the listeners, and the advertisers know it.

Tree falls in the woods... it's a right-wing conspiracy... Dog craps in your yard... it must have been sent over by Bush and his cronies... Get a life, liberal losers. No one is out to get you. You do a good enough job "getting" yourself.

Shame they use a story like this to attack conservatives and even lump them in with the KKK. I guess anything other than acknowledging it’s a dangerous world and people need to be able to defend themselves. If only we could get those conservatives off the streets then the world would be safe? What a complete waste of space that guy is.

Welcome to reality, liberal. I am sorry you were mugged, because we are all victims when any citizen is mugged. But I won't have to wait long for excuses for the mugger when the mug shot comes out, ie "displacement," bla bla bla...

I honestly really do feel sorry for the lady. I have never heard of her. I don't live in New York City, but from what I hear about it there are no bigot, racist, homophobic, pick-up truck driving, gun rack having, people that could walk around unnoticed and able to commit such a crime without her being able to identify a right-wing talk listener and avoid the incident. I'm sure someone may have spotted the infiltrator. Perhaps its an insurgency maybe this incident signals that its time to develop a sensible withdrawal plan from NYC.

How does anyone know this isn't some sort of random thing? There have been attacks on both left-wing and right-wing radio hosts in the past, some intentional and some random attacks. Let's be honest, anyone who goes on the air and expresses and opinion gets death threats. It doesn't matter what opinion is expressed, some nut threatens them. Do you think Rush Limbaugh hasn't gotten death threats?

what a joke! You don't even have liberals listening to you and you think the right wing is worried.They need you on the air so that you can demonstate how irrelevent you really are! Try focusing on making money and getting listeners.

I Hope they capture this guy! We need to find him and try to get him help. Its clear that he has not received the proper help and aid from the government. Its horrible to see a person get kicked down by all these profit mongering corperations that he needs to assault a person to survive. If George Bush would have spent the Billions on these poor and homeless people this would never have happened. I hope that Randi Rhodes will lead the effort to help that mugger. She should rise above the assault on her and provide him with shelter,food and a job at Air America.

The attacker had to be Rush Limbaugh! I mean, since he was the cause of the Oklahoma City Bombing, he just had to be on the street waiting for Ms. Rhodes. You better be careful, we might be next! idiots....

Lets see who else we can blame - on her web site there is a picture of a Baptist Church - wishing her well - Maybe the Catholics don't like the Baptist - Maybe a non-believer beat her up because she believes - - - She supports Habitat with Carter - maybe some weirdo from the 70's who didn't like Carter - beat her up... She want's Al Gore to run for President - maybe some one with half a brain realized how stupid this is and beat her up - - I mean if we are jumping to conclusions lets research her first and then JUMP Big...

Interesting...you don't know who or why Randi was attacked. You don't know who or why the other acts of violence you site were perpetrated. But your convinced it was done by a right wing whack job. I can tell you have a knack for critical and logical thinking. Not!

Cheney must have done it. I know from my true bias there are no coincidences. If not Cheney, Rumsfeld . .......oh i hate the right. Hate Hate Hate. We need to teach them to be more tolerant?????????????????????????????????????????????????

Just because she didn't have a purse doesn't mean that she had nothing to steal. more and more joggers are getting mugged since they might have ipods. Far more likely then someone targeting her because of politics.

Where was the Duke Lacrosse Team when this happened? Seriously, our streets are teeming with lunatics who belong in mental institutions but are free because they're "not dangerous." Some of them are. Until the perpetrator is found we can't know what motivated him to do this. Casting blame at conservatives brands leftists as hysterical paranoids. Let's pray for Randi's full and swift recovery. You never know, they say that a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged.

Someone asked who randi rhodes is. She is the radio idiot that started the voting mess in Palm Beach county in 2000. About noon that fateful day she was on the radio screaming about the people voting for the wrong person because of the ballot. Now how did she know how these people voted. As a resident of PBC I know that if any of these older folks had thought for a moment they had voted wrong they would have raised hell at the time, but they didn't until she started that ball rolling and of course it's still rolling along today.

LOL. How can the host imply that "the conservatives are trying to shut us up, are they afraid we are winning". Winning what? I thought Air American declared bankruptcy because they can't get anyone to listen to their program. Most people have never heard of Rhandi Rhodes nor ever will.

The mugger was more likely an unfortunate unemployed black male who was forced into a life of drugs and crime by white oppression and racism (engineered by the Bush white house probably Cheney). This poor guy is the REAL victim, and anyone who doesn't see this is a heartless member of the vast, right-wing conspiracy.

Randi Rhodes, please get better. I hope the criminals are caught, but more importantly I hope you get back on your feet ASAP. I linked to this story from Drudge. Yes, I am probably considered a conservative. The rude comments on this forum are revolting. There is nothing funny about being assaulted. Show some class; come together for a fellow citizen and human being, please.

I am NOT a fan at all, but I am praying that she will get better. This should have NOTHING to do with left or right. I am appaulled that they would even stoop that low to say that this might be done by the Right. That is proposterous. EVERY life is important and we should hope that they find the perp and pray for a safe and fast recovery. Ms. Rhodes, please get better soon.

Randi's mugging is a great opportunity for the libs to propose higher taxes to erradicate the societal causes of crime. Too bad she didn't have a handgun to protect herself ..... oops ......Randi is probably against individual gun ownership rights.

Alan Berg was killed by American Nazi's. Am I to presume then that conservatives, who are often referred to as right wing are equivalent to Nazi's?! The people who killed Alan Berg were anti-semites, something the left wing intellegencia could be accused of today.

If he hadn't spent the last 7 years tearing this country apart, people wouldn't be forced to resort to such desperate measures just to put some food on the table.

While I don't want to forget or minimize in anyway the pain Randi has and is continuing to go through, I think we should all take the time to consider the anguish and suffering behind the event. If I know Randi, I'm sure her thoughts are mostly focused on the welfare of her fellow New Yorker who was forced into this act. I'm sure she understands that this person is in some way a victim too - as we all are.

What a disgusting load. With absolutely no evidence to support your position, you allege that this may have been a right-wing attack on a poor, innnocent liberal, adding that "Apparently, some right-wing critics of lib talk aren’t happy that conservative talk only accounts for 90% of the programming on talk radio."

Sounds to me like someone isn't happy that 90% of the audience in talk radio rejects left-wing talk radio. Maybe your inability to stick to the facts explains that...

Of course cowardly Rethuglican conservative whack jobs would do something like this. Shows you what pussies they are. They run away from fighting in a war they trumped up, then they beat up a woman. Typical right-wing cowards.

Now the big news is when somebody whips the asses of Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity, and those other right-wing, whack job, pussy, cowards. I'd pay big bucks to see that...

"CBSNews.com article contains language nearly identical to WorldNetDaily article, including falsehoodSummary: An October 10 article on the conservative news website WorldNetDaily about reactions to Ann Coulter's comment that Christians "just want Jews to be perfected, as they say" asserted that the controversy over her comment began when Media Matters for America, "a pro-Democrat media lobby headed by David Brock, noted Coulter's appearance on CNBC's 'The Big Idea' with host Donny Deutsch." An October 12 CBSNews.com article contained large sections that were nearly identical to the WorldNetDaily report, including the inaccurate description of Media Matters. In fact, Media Matters is not affiliated with any party or candidate."

It seems like liberals dont listen to the show either. It appears we hav eth esame person supporting her that keeps entering messages.

Randi Rhodes is the nastiest, hater of vile speech. Of course liberals who listen to her (all 7 of them) see her as thoughtfull and introspective. she is a hatefull spitefull bitch taht never got over 2000 election. I hope it keeps burning at her.

First and fore-most, I hope she gets better. Now you liberals need to get over the "vast right wing conspriacy" crap. NYC is not exactly a low crime area. You are starting to sound like the 9/11 thruther idiots.

"Apparently, some right-wing critics of lib talk aren’t happy that conservative talk only accounts for 90% of the programming on talk radio. These whack jobs appear determined to whatever it takes to silence the opposing point of view."

You sre it wasn't some thugs from a a gang created by the racist and handout programs on the left?

Let us know when ballistics can verify them as "conservative" bullets.

Who would even know by looking at her that she was a talk show host much less her politics??? That's so stupid.Geez, talk about your tin foil hat wearers. Maybe it's the ghost of the children murdered at Waco seeking revenge?

Tragic indeed. I hope she recovers fast and they catch the dirtbag that did it.

As a card carrying member of the right-wing conspiracy, I can assure you that this was NOT a sanctioned hit by one of our sleeper cells of redblooded Americans which we, of course, have on standby near all famous liberal talk show hosts, including Randi who is famous enough to be known by at most 1% of the population.

I'm sorry about Randi and the dog. I hope Randi will recover and pick up from where she left off. Which of course is bashing America. Even though I hate this womans politics I don't wish to see her hurt. Please liberal America, don't make this political, it's silly and stupid. I don't-understand why this has not made the tv news, unless I missed it... All the best to Randi and the little one.

This is a Bush/Cheney/Rove/Illuminatti/Fox News/Right Wing Christian conspiricy plot.To silence the voice of the people.Only when The Greatness Know as Dennis Kuncinich is elected POTUS.Can this crime be solved..Only he can summon the Robot from the movie The Day The Earth Stood Still.to bust this crime caper

this was definately the work of air america in an attampt to boost their incredible poor ratings - these people are shameless - this will turn into a huge deal about how conservatives are trying to 'silence' those they disagree with - sorry - the democrats-moveon-mediamtters crowd have the monopoly already hold that distinction

Obviously she owns one of those little liberal "city" dogs, because any REAL right-wing big "country" dog would have protected her.

You libs are dispicable with this hit article, whose only purpose is to inflame the readers. Fortunately, when we lose the war against the islamists, there is a silver lining to that cloud: They're going to fire all the women in the workplace and kill all the homos.

No doubt the attacker had a traumatic childhood. We must try to understand the underlying causes of violence. We must try to reason with the attacker. Perhaps he was starving and just trying to get food for his children. Perhaps he was a drug addict. If we legalized drugs, he wouldn't be hitting people over the head. Remember the love!

These comments reflect the mentality of some the conservatives in our country. Just reading them demonstrates some serious disconnects toward normal compassion toward another human being. I'm sure this would make you and your family proud.

Really, this is part of a Left-Wing conspiracy to smear the tactics of the right wing. She probably just took off sick, they thought up this story, and quick got her a good make-up person to have her appear beat up. News is free press for a fledgling station.

The reason left wing wackos only have 10 percent of the talk radio market is because they are too busy smoking dope and listening to their ipods than to be actually opening their minds and listening to thought provoking informative radio

standard left wing lunacy. i'm sorry that this person was injured during an unprovoked attack near her own home, but how does one go about immediately linking it to "vast right wing conspiracy" before there are any FACTS presented to anyone?

two tragedies have occurred here. an innocent woman attacked, and exploitations of the sad event to smear those "other people". hopefully her wounds will heal. those pushing conspiracy theories are making things worse, hoping to leave scars.

That said, I sincerely doubt that Rhodes was targeted because of her radio show. Until this was posted on the Drudge Report, I had never heard of her. No one should be fooled into thinking that AAR or any of their hosts are a threat to to conservative talk radio. Get out of bankruptcy first, and then that argument might hold water.

"These comments reflect the mentality of some the conservatives in our country. Just reading them demonstrates some serious disconnects toward normal compassion toward another human being. I'm sure this would make you and your family proud."

I suppose that if someone stuck a catheter into the base of her skull and sucked her brain out, you probably wouldn't have a problem with that.

We have no PROOF it is a right-wing conservanazi, but let's blame them regardless. Further, how can we gurantee the SAFETY of leftists in this nation? Round out all gun-owners and put them in camps? Round up all Christians? I maintain that the time for CIVIL WAR is now. Bush stole the election and pursued an illagal war. It's time for a coup, a revolution to topple the Fascist Bushco Regime. It's time to round up all the FASCIST Christians, Republicans and gun owners and put them in camps. STOP THE MILITIA NOW! GITMO FOR REPUBLICANS! THEY ARE THE REAL TERRORISTS!!!

Had a newsbabe up here, during ratings week, lock herself in the trunk of her car and claim she was kidnapped. She had a real substance abuse problem as well..only reason she wasn't busted for it was she was married to the New Bedford DA.

"I am saddened by this news. I hope Randy recovers and the police find the attacker. Then I hope the attacker can explain what circumstances in his background led to his rage. This knowlege may help us all avoid attacks on the street in the future."

You know what moron? There are evil people out there...always have been, probably always will be. All this talk about 'right wing hate crime' is foolish. Better odds that it was a failed rape or robbery attempt, and the smart money would say that the guilty party is not even politically motivated.AAR and Randi are irrelevant as far as the ratings prove and I doubt very seriously that they raise much of a blip in any conservatives radar. Get real morons.

I'm a conservative and I condemn this act of violence against Ms. Rhodes. But look at this... one of these other posters said:

"I hope Randy recovers and the police find the attacker. Then I hope the attacker can explain what circumstances in his background led to his rage. This knowlege may help us all avoid attacks on the street in the future."

*THIS IS THE PROBLEM PEOPLE!!* We don't need to find the guy, ask him about his childhood, send him to rage counseling, and learn about his FEELINGS and MOTIVATIONS. He's a CRIMINAL. He needs to be caught and punished for his crime. He needs to be held personally responsible.

Conservatives... TRUE conservatives don't need to win a political debate with our fists. The strength of our ideas is more than enough to win the day.

Good luck to Ms. Rhodes. I hope we catch the guy- and this matter can be laid to rest.

Wow, I can't believe it. I just got back from NYC and while I was there I was harrassed by some liberal bitch (walking a dog) for wearing a T-shirt that said "Straight men love Bush". Let's just say she won't be talking for awhile, and i think I'm going to auction off the teeth I.... ahhh found on ebay.

I feel so bad. the mugger surely must have been suffering from tragic circumstances stemming from poor education and living in poverty. Those few years in jail must have really been difficult for him to rehabilitate. Good thing that his parole officer will surely catch this incident and send him to counseling sessions.

This story is hilarious. I would have never believed it if someone had told me about it!! A right wing attack job? Why in the world would right wingers bother with an unknown radio host with no listeners!! Even my liberal family doesn't listen to Air America!!! I guess you have to do something to get some listeners--might as well try trumping up a fake story for sympathy. In the meantime, 90% of Americans will continue to listen to the truth on the other radio shows.

Randi while I am not a fan of your I do hope you are ok, and please see that your human friend who was mugged is ok. Maybe the Revs. Sharpton and Jackson will blame Duke on this. To quote Nance "Until an arrest is made how can you jump to a conclusion that it's from the right. This is typical left garbage - blame, blame, blame - accuse, accuse, accuse - then maybe find out the facts. Lets find out the facts first - befor we lay blame." Nance welcome back to the real world libs dont function like this they as you say fire first ask later. In all seriousness Randi please get well soon it is terrible what happened, anybody know where Hannity and Limbaugh were?

"The reason left wing wackos only have 10 percent of the talk radio market is because they are too busy smoking dope and listening to their ipods than to be actually opening their minds and listening to thought provoking informative radio

Hey! Im a righty and i smoke dope and listen to conservative talk radio! It makes opening the mind easier. don't hate.

Yea, I guess most people involved in crimes are conservatives, The prisons are full of those God fearing, Giving, compassionate, TAX PAYING,People and not people that vote for demo's! Libs wake up and look around your on the wrong side of just about every issue!

Only a liberal in its most delusional state could actually look at this story and think,"They want to silence this holy prophet of the liberal way!". Folks, it is so much easier to breathe with your head extracted from your arse.

Woman alone. No purse means most likely no way to protect herself. Hmmmm. Clearly a plot!

Spoken like a true Liberal conspiracy theorist. No wonder no one listens to your radio show. You are all a bunch on wacko's. But as a caring conservative I hope she recovers from this without any side effects.

Forget about the petty politics left and right. A woman has been victimized. Now is not the time for Bill Clinton jokes or for blaming all conservatives and comparing them to the KKK. As a dedicated member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy I say God speed in your recovery MS. Rhodes; Take care of your self.

Maybe if Randi was carrying a concealed handgun she could have killed her attacker and we would know that he was a member of the vast right wing conspiracy. Oh wait, she isn't allowed to do that in NYC.

Isn't she the bimbo that told her 7 listeners that someone should kill Bush? This was his revenge. To make it look anonymous, bush orchestrated thousands on NYC muggings just so this looks lika another mugging, His and carl's best work since blowing up the twin towers.

When is ABC going to start reporting the mews. You know just report what happened. Not add their wacked out Liberal view to every story. Here is a word you should learn..Objectivity. Then maybe they can move on to harder ones like, Integrity.